CASSIE 8: Unspoken Truths
The board meeting centered on Evan’s financial misstep and potential recovery strategies. Various stakeholders and potential investors were discussed as we searched for solutions.
I know my brother is under a lot of pressure, but for now, Father is still the head of the company. But the reality is apparent–he’ll probably retire within five to ten years. When that happens, either Evan or I will have to step up to continue what Father started: to keep our family comfortable and protect the jobs of the hundreds of thousands of employees who rely on our company.
But now, I’m not even sure I’ll still be around when that time comes.
I want to stay positive, but the truth is blinding.
“We should approach the Carter Group to secure the necessary funding. We can propose a gradual repayment structure.”
“The Carters?” I echoed.
“Yes, Miss Cassie,” he confirmed with a nod.
My mind raced. ‘Could this be related to Ronan Carter?‘
Images flashed through my mind: the tattoo across his chest and the group of men with him who looked somewhere between bodyguards and clowns.
He could easily be mistaken for an undercover agent–or even a male stripper?
I had to fight the urge to laugh, even though we were in the middle of a serious financial discussion.
The finance chief said, “Their primary office operates here in the city. They’re an investor group that backs struggling businesses. We just need to negotiate an agreement where we can manage a small interest rate for the funds they’ll lend us.”
“Exactly,” another executive interjected. “We cannot sustain high interest rates. Otherwise, we’ll just end up paying and paying with no real gains. We need some breathing room…”
“The challenge is, Mr. Cartér is often in New York or other cities. It would’ve been better to meet them in person to explain our situation more clearly.”
“If we can’t reach the Carters, we could continue asking the Reid family for help, as we‘ ve done before,” another board member suggested.
Since everyone’s faces were just floating squares on the screen, I could not know if their eyes were actually on me.
Still, I could feel everyone watching me, making me more and more uncomfortable as the discussion continued.
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CASSIE 8: Unspoken Truths
“We shouldn’t constantly rely on the Reids as our safety net,” I stated firmly.
“Cassie’s right,” Dad agreed. “I’ll instruct Evan to arrange a meeting with the Carter Group.”
“I’ll handle it,” I cut in quickly, offering an excuse. “Evan still has numerous unresolved matters requiring his attention. To prevent further distractions for him, I’ll be the one to reach out to the Carter Group’s president.”
“There’s just one challenge, Miss Cassie, someone cautioned. “Getting a meeting might be difficult. Even if their president is in the city, it’s still hard to get an appointment because so many people are trying to speak with him.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I said confidently.
Just like that, the conversation ended.
“Cassie, would you remain connected momentarily?” Dad muttered. One by one, everyone logged off until only the two of us remained.
“Have you reached a decision regarding your relationship with Asher?” he inquired directly.
I fought to keep my emotions in check as I struggled to stay composed.
“Wasn’t it you who insisted Asher was the only man you should marry? You declared you wouldn’t consider any other potential husband…”
“I was considerably younger when I said that,” I replied, measuring my words carefully. “ Furthermore, I wasn’t the only girl who once dreamed of marrying him. I was just naïve, Dad.”
“Consider this reality, Cassie,” he said carefully. “Asher might have relationships with other women throughout his life, but his wealth, assets, and everything he’s built will become yours once you’re married… Men often follow the same patterns – they may have affairs but always have one main home, and that will be where we stay.”
It was both laughable and heartbreaking hearing those words from my own father.
But that was my reality.
Sometimes, I wonder what it must feel like to be the one doing the betraying.
“I told you before to keep your emotions in check,” he said. “Stay detached. Marrying Asher Reid will only bring you pain because you truly love him,”
Dad and I knew each other too well.
He was hoping I would accept Asher, no matter what he did–that I would choose to be the queen standing beside him.
He also understood without me saying a word that I was planning to end our relationship for good.
“Dad, it’s not like that. You’re wrong. I’m calling off the engagement because I don’t
CASSIE 8: Unspoken Truths
care about him anymore… I’ve reached a point where I just don’t have the energy to keep investing in this relationship, live with him, or even be around him. Being with him feels like I’m choosing to swallow poison every day.”
My dad contemplated in silence, which prompted me to continue, “Help me talk to his parents about ending the engagement, and in return, I’ll get the deal with the president of the Carters. What do you say?”
He released a resigned sigh. “Very well…”
Following our conversation, I received a notification confirming the schedule for my first chemotherapy session.
I gazed out the floor–to–ceiling window, watching the rain come down in torrents. This is it, I thought–time to start loving myself.
The hospital appointment ran late, leaving me physically drained. The medical team had also prescribed additional medications for me to take.
Evan messaged requesting that I collect him from a bar where he was spending time. with Asher and their friends. As I approached in the hallway, just before opening the door, their conversation reached my ears.
“Are you rekindling things with Vanessa?” one friend inquired.
“It’s undeniable that you still have feelings for her.”
“Come on, mates. She got her issues; we’re just colleagues,” Asher replied.
“What about Cassie? She must have been furious when she discovered you’ve been working with Vanessa?”
Evan answered on my behalf, “She didn’t even care.”
“That’s typical Cassie behavior,” Asher remarked with unmistakable arrogance. “She’ll ignore me completely for an entire day, then suddenly become intensely emotional. I’ll smooth things over, and we’ll be fine.”
“She loves you too much!” another friend commented, giggling inappropriately as if my emotional investment was something to laugh at.
“But you need to stop this, Asher. Remember, Cassie is my sister.”
“I already have, alright?” Asher insisted. “I’ve told you repeatedly that I’m just helping Vanessa with money. Moreover, I’ve promised my parents I’ll be loyal once we’re married.”
I decided against entering the room. Whether Asher stayed loyal or not no longer mattered to me. The rain continued to pour, reflecting the heaviness I felt inside.
But it wasn’t all bad that day. I was taken aback when I quickly received a reply from Mr. Carter’s assistant.
To my genuine surprise, he had accepted my meeting request–something I had initially assumed would be declined or ignored!
